Arctic blast arrives in the tri-state

NEW YORK 2010 has gotten off to a frigid start in New York City with January temperatures averaging 26 degrees with a low of 17 degrees. It's going to feel even colder this weekend.

Department of Housing Preservation and Development is beefing up their heat enforcement efforts to make sure building owners are providing tenants with heat and hot water.

The number of inspection and maintenance teams will be doubled for the weekend.

In Connecticut, Governor Rell ordered a statewide Weekend Shelter Alert in anticipation of the bitterly cold temperatures forecasted for this weekend.

"The frigid weather predicted this weekend is public safety issue for those in need of shelter and heat. The organizations and local emergency officials that DSS and DEMHS will be contacting are critical partners in helping to protect the most vulnerable individuals,"" said Governor Rell.

A 2-1-1 Infoline is also available for people who need help and for local shelters that need referral information when they stretch capacity limits.

Keeping the Cold Outside

Homeowners can take steps to protect their homes and energy costs from skyrocketing during the bitter cold.

"The cold air actually sucks the warm air out of the house with it, especially if your attic is not insulated. It's going right out the top," said Bob Markovich.

Starting at the bottom in the basement, the home and yard editor for Consumer Reports showed me a few quick fixes to cut your energy costs, starting with pipe wrap to keep them insulated.

Turn your thermostat down 5 to 10-degress at night and when you're away and you will see a 20-percent reduction in energy costs.

Here's an energy saver that's free. During the day, raise the blinds in your house. Let the sunlight and radiant heat come into the room. At night, lower the blind to keep the heat in the room.

On the doors add or replace the weather stripping to block those chilly drafts. On the windows, maybe use some plastic film.

"You lay it over the glass itself and just over the frame area. Then you use a hair dryer so it adheres. It may not be the prettiest thing, but it really is going to prevent a lot of heat loss," Markovich said.

You could add a space heater in a chilly room.

"What this is going to do is keep you comfortable at an expense," Markovich explained. "Electricity costs far more than natural gas."

You could spend the weekend looking for more effective energy saving projects to do when the weather gets warmer.

"You are going to get a 30 percent tax credit for any project that is going to improve energy efficiency, if you do it by the end of 2010," he said.

What to Do if You Lose Heat or Hot Water at Home

The New York City Office of Emergency Management has released a list of cold weather tips.

The 2009/2010 heat season began on October 1, 2009, and continues through May 31, 2010. During heat season, residential owners with tenants are required by law to maintain an indoor temperature of at least 68 degrees Fahrenheit between 6 AM and 10 PM when the outdoor temperature falls below 55 degrees. Between 10 PM and 6 AM, building owners must maintain an indoor temperature of 55 degrees when the outside temperature falls below 40 degrees. Hot water is required to be maintained at 120 degrees.

Any New York City tenant without adequate heat or hot water should first speak with the building owner, manager, or superintendent. If the problem is not corrected, tenants should call 311. The Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) will take measures to ensure that your heat and hot water is restored. This may include contacting the building's owner or sending an inspector to verify the complaint or issue a violation. In some cases, HPD will call in emergency contractors to resolve the issue and bill the landlord for the repairs. HPD also may initiate legal action against properties that are issued heat violations, and owners who incur multiple heat violations are subject to litigation seeking maximum litigation penalties and to continued scrutiny on heat and other code deficiencies.

During the last heat season (2008/2009):

248,147 heat and hot water problems were reported to the City through 311.

HPD inspectors made 139,472 heat related inspections.

HPD inspectors wrote 14,108 heat related violations.

HPD spent a total of $6.1 million in heat related emergency repairs (charged to building owners).

HPD filed 4,016 heat cases in court and collected $2,244,260 in fines.

Take measures to trap existing warm air and safely stay warm until heat returns, including:

Insulate your home as much as possible. Hang blankets over windows and doorways and stay in a well-insulated room while the heat is out.

Dress warmly. Wear hats, scarves, gloves, and layered clothing.

If you have a working fireplace, use it for heat and light, but be sure to keep the damper open for ventilation.

If the cold persists and your heat is not restored call family, neighbors, or friends to see if you can stay with them.

Do not use your oven or fuel-burning space heaters to heat your home. These can release carbon monoxide, a deadly gas that you cannot see or smell.

Open your faucets to a steady drip so pipes do not freeze.

If You Need Emergency Heating Assistance

The Human Resources Administration (HRA) administers the federal Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP), which provides low-income people with emergency heating assistance. Eligible residents will receive a payment for fuel delivery, or HRA will arrange for fuel delivery or boiler repair. Emergency assistance is given to those who qualify only once per heating season. Call 311 for more information.

Safe Home Heating Tips

Improper use of portable heating equipment can lead to fire or dangerous levels of carbon monoxide. Take precautions to ensure you are heating your home safely.

Fire safety tips:

Use only portable heating equipment that is approved for indoor use. Space heaters are temporary heating devices and should only be used for a limited time each day.

Keep combustible materials, including furniture, drapes, and carpeting at least three feet away from the heat source. Never drape clothes over a space heater to dry them.

Never leave children alone in the room where a space heater is running. Always keep an eye on heating equipment. Turn it off when you are unable to closely monitor it.

Plug space heaters directly into a wall outlet. Never use an extension cord or power strip. Do not plug anything else into the same outlet when the space heater is in use. Do not use space heaters with frayed or damaged cords.

Make sure you have a working smoke alarm in every room. Test them at least once a month and change the batteries twice a year.

If you are going to use an electric blanket, only use one that is less than 10 years old from the date of purchase. Also avoid tucking the electric blanket in at the sides of the bed. Only purchase blankets with an automatic safety shut-off.

Carbon monoxide safety tips:

Carbon monoxide comes from the burning of fuel. Therefore, make sure all fuel-burning devices such as furnaces, boilers, hot water heaters, and clothes dryers are properly vented to the outdoors and operating properly. If you are not sure, contact a professional to inspect and make necessary repairs.

Make sure you have a working carbon monoxide detector. Most homes and residential buildings in New York City are required by law to have carbon monoxide detectors installed near all sleeping areas. Owners are responsible for installing approved carbon monoxide detectors. Occupants are responsible for keeping and maintaining the carbon monoxide detectors in good repair.

If you have a working fireplace keep chimneys clean and clear of debris.

Never heat your home with a gas stove or oven, charcoal barbecue grill, or kerosene, propane, or oil-burning heaters.

The symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are non-specific and include headache, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, sleepiness, trouble breathing, and loss of consciousness. Severe poisonings may result in permanent injury or death.

If you suspect carbon monoxide poisoning, call 911, get the victim to fresh air immediately, and open windows.

Staying Warm Outdoors

Exposure to cold can be life-threatening. Avoid serious conditions such as frostbite and hypothermia by taking steps to keep warm.

Wear a hat, hood, or scarf, as most heat is lost through the head.

Wear layers as they provide better insulation and warmth.

Keep fingertips, earlobes, and noses covered if you go outside.

Keep clothing dry; if a layer becomes wet, remove it.

Drinking alcohol may make you think you feel warmer but actually increases your chances of hypothermia and frostbite.

Shivering is an important first sign that the body is losing heat. Shivering is a signal to return indoors.

Cold weather puts an extra strain on the heart. If you have heart disease or high blood pressure, follow your doctor's advice about shoveling snow or performing other hard work in the cold. Remember, your body is already working hard just to stay warm, so don't overdo it.

Workers in construction and utilities, and others who spend a lot of time outdoors are at risk for cold-related disorders. Employers should implement safe work practices, provide appropriate protective equipment, and train workers on health effects of cold weather, proper prevention techniques, and treatment of cold-related disorders. For more information, see: www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/coldstress/ .

How to Help Others

Recognize the signs and symptoms of hypothermia and frostbite:

Hypothermia is a life-threatening condition where the body temperature is abnormally low. Symptoms may include shivering, slurred speech, sluggishness, drowsiness, unusual behavior, confusion, dizziness, and shallow breathing. Some people, such as infants, seniors, and those with chronic diseases and substance abuse problems can get sick quicker. Check on friends, relatives, and neighbors who may need assistance to ensure they are adequately protected from the cold.

Frostbite is a serious injury to a body part frozen from exposure to the cold. It most often affects extremities like fingers and toes or exposed areas such as ears or parts of the face. Redness and pain may be the first warning of frostbite. Other symptoms include numbness or skin that appears pale, firm, or waxy.

Provide first aid:

If you suspect a person is suffering from frostbite or hypothermia, bring him or her someplace warm and call 911.

If medical help is not immediately available, re-warm the person, by removing any damp clothing and covering them with warm blankets. Homeless Outreach

The Department of Homeless Services (DHS) continues to use its Cold Weather Emergency Procedure, called Code Blue, to protect unsheltered homeless people, who are more at risk for exposure deaths during the cold winter months. During Code Blue conditions DHS doubles its outreach efforts. Community members that identify someone on the street they believe needs assistance should call 311 and ask for the Mobile Outreach Response Team. The Department of Homeless Services will send an outreach team to the location to assess the individual's condition and take appropriate action.

Outreach workers are on the streets 24 hours a day, seven days a week and are trained to:

Identify and regularly monitor people who may be at risk during cold weather.

Assist at-risk people to voluntarily come indoors. During a Code Blue Cold Weather Emergency, housing options for the homeless include the following:

Shelters: During an emergency, homeless people can access any shelter. Beds are available system-wide to accommodate anyone brought in by outreach teams or walk-ins.

Drop-in centers: All drop-in centers are open 24 hours a day when Code Blue procedures are in effect, taking in as many as people as possible for the duration of inclement weather. Drop-in staff also can make arrangements for homeless people at other citywide facilities.

Safe havens and stabilization beds: Chronically homeless people may be transported to these low-threshold housing options where they may go directly from the street to a bed.

For more information about cold weather safety and how you can prepare for emergencies call 311 or visit www.nyc.gov/oem .

And as the cold weather moves in, there's nothing more frustrating than going outside and finding out your car doesn't work.

So what can you do to keep your car working during the cold?

The AAA takes its own advice on winter car care, which starts with snow tires.

"The difference it makes is incredible," AAA's Robert Sinclair said. "In snow deeper than half an inch, all-weather radials are not that effective."

The Tri-State Area has seen far more than half an inch already, and more is coming.

"It's critical that you maintain tire pressure in the winter," Sinclair said.

As the temperature drops, so does your PSI. Then, switch to a winter weight oil.

"Oil thickens in the cold weather and won't work as well, so you need the lowest number possible," Sinclair said.

And maintain your battery.

"Make sure you don't leave your lights on," Sinclair said. "That's like a heart attack to your battery."

Next, check the antifreeze in the radiator. Top it off and change it every three to four years. And make sure you can see to drive. Chances are you need to replace your wipers and add some cleaning fluid that won't freeze.

The entire list, including an oil change but minus the snow tires, should cost less than $50. On top of that, the most expensive thing would be the tires. Try online. You can get them balanced, mounted and delivered right to your repair service.